USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > North Haven > A chronicle of two hundred years of St. John's Church > Part 6
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At a meeting of the parish on April 12th, 1897 there appeared from the ladies an offer to carpet the church and put in a new metal ceiling (the plaster ceiling was in rather poor condition). This offer was accepted. Work of this kind would normally lead to redecorating, and ap- parently it did. We find no vote about it, but there was a bill in the amount of $860. for painting and decorating. While this work was in process, it was necessary to hold services elsewhere, and the place selected was Memorial Hall. The rental charge was $33.
On October 4th a parish meeting was asked to release the rector for one Sunday night each month to take a ser- vice in Clintonville. This request was refused, but when it was renewed in November 1898, the vote was to leave it to the discretion of the rector.
On November 12th, 1897 a group of eleven women of the parish met to effect a reorganization of The Ladies Guild. It was still The Ladies Guild, composed of the wom- en of St. John's, but they adopted a new constitution and a set of by-laws, and elected officers in accordance with them. From 1877 to 1897 no official records of the " Guild" have appeared, but from 1897 forward the activities of this
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organization, which has earned so much money, and done so much for St. John's both financially and socially, are much easier to trace. From the first records in 1897-98 we learn that at their frequent meetings they worked on articles for the Christmas sale; they worked on various articles (at a price) for local people; and they worked on other articles (at no price) for numerous and widely scat- tered hospitals and missions, - many of which were indeed far afield. We learn of the suppers put on after many of these meetings, - some in homes and others in the court room in Memorial Hall. The price was amazingly low, usually ten cents and sometimes as high as fifteen cents.
The boys' choir of 1895 lasted about two years. It was then decided to organize a mixed choir. Again in 1898 the "Guild" came to the rescue, for the ladies at their meetings made the necessary vestments for "the ladies of the choir. " It would require a separate chapter, or a complete volume, to record in detail all the history of The Ladies Guild. With the limited space available, we can on- ly mention some of the most pertinent items.
At a special parish meeting on September 7th, 1898 the rector presented his resignation to take effect on Jan- uary 1st, 1899. He also made the request that for the month of December he be given a vacation. This arrange- ment would mean that he would not actually officiate after the first of December, but that, with his resignation becom- ing effective on January 1st, his official term of ser- vice at St. John's would be a full nineteen years. The parish accepted the resignation and also granted the month's vacation.
In what would appear to be an attempt to make plans well in advance, a special parish meeting was called for the next week, September 14th, "for the purpose of calling a rector, etc. " This meeting was called to order, but ad- journed without taking any action. On November 23d at another special meeting it was voted to extend a call to The Rev. William J. Brewster of Northford. The minutes give no further reference to this action, but Mr. Brewster did not officiate here, and we assume that he refused the call. No other action was taken until March 6th, 1899 when
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another special meeting voted to extend a call to The Rev. Louis A. Parsons to become rector, assuming charge on April 1st, 1899, at a salary of $900. per year, plus the use of the Rectory, and the payment of his coal bill. Mr. Par- sons accepted the call and came to North Haven. He was a young, single man, and his mother and father came to live with and keep house for him.
At the annual meeting on March 27th something new and unusual occurred when applications for membership were presented by two women - Miss Eva L. Bradley and Miss Mary L. Goodyear. The meeting being uncertain as to procedure, these applications were tabled pending fur- ther study as to eligibility. (Actually the canons of that period held no provision for accepting women as members of a parish corporation, so these applications had to be re- jected. ) The item is worthy of mention, however, for it is the first record of any women applying for membership in St. John's.
At a special vestry meeting held on February 11th, 1900 it was voted: "That a special parish meeting be called for Monday evening, February 19th, 1900, at 8:00 P. M. at St. John's Church, to consider the matter of either repair- ing the church organ or purchasing a new instrument. " A committee was appointed to investigate and report at said meeting. This special parish meeting was duly called and held. The minutes of this meeting are the first that con- tain an item making note of the reading of the warning. This procedure eventually became a standard practice. The parish voted favorably on a resolution "That the Par- ish purchase a new organ provided the funds can be raised by subscription (including the present organ fund). " A committee, consisting of The Rev. Mr. Parsons and Mr. Linsley, was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the or- gan fund. This would indicate the imminent purchase of a new organ, BUT at another special meeting on May 7th, there was "discussion at length" following which it was unanimously voted "That action taken at a previous meet- ing with regard to purchasing a new organ be rescinded and that the committee appointed to solicit pledges for same be discharged with thanks. " The responsibility for
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repairs to the old organ already lay in the hands of the music committee of the vestry.
In April 1899 The Ladies Guild voted $30. 'towards papering the rectory. " The parish acknowledged this as- sistance by passing a vote of thanks at the annual meet- ing in 1900.
In the fall of 1900, we find a vote to construct a five foot side walk from the church to the street corner (St. John and Trumbull), and a three foot walk from the cor- ner of the church to the rear door of the rectory and from there to the horse sheds, this is certainly indicative of the growing tendencies of both town and parish.
At a vestry meeting held on May 5th, 1901 a vote was passed: "That Sunday, June 2, 1901 be appropriately ob- served in commemoration of the laying of the corner stone of St. John's Parish in the year 1834; and that special ser - vices be held morning and evening. " There is no other mention of this nor does there seem to be any explanation as to why the 67th anniversary was designated for special mention. However a Year Book and Directory was printed for the period of 1901-1902.
As the parish has expanded from time to time one group or another has been formed into an organized soci- ety. Some of these societies lasted only a short time. For several there are no known records to mark their rise and fall. All of these, small or large, short or long lived, have fulfilled their purpose, and have had a definite place in St. John's history. We shall, therefore, make mention of all of them that come to our knowledge, preferably in, or near, the time period in which the particular organiza- tion was formed.
One such organization, mentioned in the Year Book noted above, was the Choir Guild. This group was orga- nized April 21, 1899. Regular meetings were held every month, but realizing that with an adult, mixed, volunteer choir, something more than a strict application to the study of music was needed to maintain interest, it was specified that the alternate meetings were to be of a social character. This Guild lasted from six to eight years. For a time it operated with much success, but as some of the
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leaders left town and unforeseen conditions arose the com- bination brought to an end this organization. On June 4th, 1915 it was reorganized and again its purpose was "to as- sist the choir and to furnish at the same time social relax- ation for the members of the choir. " At this time mem- bership was open both to members of the choir and to non members who were interested in the work of the choir. The reorganized group followed the pattern of the original, meeting with success for a while and then running into circumstances which ended its usefulness.
Considerable business came before the annual meet- ing held on March 31st, 1902, we wish to mention only four items:
First: A motion to increase the rector's salary from $900. to $1000. was defeated by a vote of 10 No to 3 Yes.
Second: A committee was appointed to investigate and estimate the cost of changing heating in church and rectory.
Third: A communication was received from the Daugh- ters of the King relative to placing a new altar in the church. After discussion the clerk was instructed to con- vey to them the desire of the parish that they devote their offering for the time being to some other object, and the suggestions offered were a new organ or the church build- ing fund.
Fourth: The appointment of a committee to solicit funds for a new church organ. Although the move for a new organ had been voted down in 1900, the last two items mentioned brought it back into active consideration, and this time the project moved forward rapidly.
At an adjourned meeting held on May 7th it was re- ported that $540 had already been pledged toward a new organ. On May 28th the subscription committee was increased by the addition of one person for each school district.
The meeting of May 28th also authorized the proposed change in heating arrangements. This change called for the installation of a new furnace in the rectory basement, this to be used only for heating the rectory. The old furnace was then made available for the sole purpose of heating the church.
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To return to the organ question :- On July 20th, 1902 the ladies of the parish formed a new organization, com- plete with constitution and by-laws. This new society was called The Ladies of St. John's Parish, and the sole pur- pose was to raise money for the Church organ. " On July 28th the Ladies Guild voted to give $50. towards the new organ, and then apparently suspended operations for near - ly a year, for the next item in the "Guild" minutes is da- ted July 10th, 1903. In the meantime the new society was most active. Their first plan, as expressed on July 20th, was to raise what they could, but this was made more def- inite on September 4th when it was voted to raise $300. By April 1st, 1903 this organization showed a treasury balance of $290.40 with outstanding pledges of $46.50 which, (if col- lected) would have brought the total to over the $300. goal. On June 24th, it was voted to turn the money over to the trustee of the organ fund, but the exact amount was not specified. Then on July 8th the meeting voted to eliminate the by-law covering meeting dates, and gave authority for the president to call the next meeting. The purpose of the organization having been fulfilled, no such meeting was ever called, and it was at this point that The Ladies Guild resumed operations.
By November 3d, 1902 the committee were able to report to the meeting subscriptions in the amount of $2753.50 with some additional subscriptions in prospect. Nineteen members present at this meeting signed a docu- ment whereby they "pledged any deficit occurring in nec- essary amount to secure new organ, - such amount not to exeeed $200. " The meeting appointed Mr. Isaac E. Mans- field a committee of one to place the contract for a new organ, and at the annual meeting on March 30th, 1903, it was reported that the contract had been placed with Hall & Co. The organ was duly installed and at the annual meeting on March 28th, 1904 it was voted: "That Mr. Mans- field be extended a hearty vote of thanks for his interest and efforts in placing the new instrument in the church. "
The annual meetings had been held in the afternoon, but at this meeting it was voted "that hereafter the annual parish meetings be held in the evening. " This was a
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reflection of the gradual change in the economical status of the community, - a change from a strictly rural dis- trict with farming as the main interest, to a more subur- ban area where many of the men were being employed in daytime jobs, in New Haven or Wallingford, so that it was impossible for them to attend an afternoon meeting.
After the regular business matters had been disposed of, the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Parsons was presented to the meeting. The resignation was accepted, effective as of May 1st, 1904. Mr. Parsons then requested "that his father and mother be allowed the privelege of occupying the rectory for a few months, or until a new rector is set- tled. " The request was granted. The meeting then ad- journed until June 6th at 8 P. M.
At the adjourned meeting on June 6th, following the dispatch of further routine business, the question of a new rector came up for discussion, with The Rev. Frederick R. Sanford of Black Hall, Conn. , as the leading candidate. A ballot was taken, and it was voted: "that the matter of arranging satisfactory date for commencement of Mr. Sanford's rectorship and the occupancy of the rectory be left with the two wardens, " with an amendment stipulating that Mr. Sanford should assume rectorship not later than July 1st, 1904. The agreement is not recorded, but the payments made by the treasurer, indicate that Mr. Sanford actually started his rectorship at St. John's in the middle of July at a salary of $900. a year and the use of the rec- tory. This salary was increased in March, 1905 to $1000. per year. Mr. Sanford remained in North Haven but a short time. His wife died in February 1906, and his own health became so impaired that he presented his resigna- tion on November 12th of the same year.
Referring again to The Ladies Guild records we note that as a result of the success of their fifteen cent suppers, their peach festivals, their sales, etc. , they were able, not only to continue to aid numerous hospitals, missionary posts, and orphanages, but also in 1903 to give money to- wards defraying the expenses of laying the hard wood floor in the chancel, to buy the material and make new cassocks for the choir, to pay for the laundering of the choir "cottas"
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twice a year, in 1905 to have the rectory piped for gas, and to do or have done other things too numer- ous to itemize.
We have spoken of the group of young girls known as The King's Daughters. After 1894 there is no mention made of work within this age group, nor have we been able to locate any records of any societies. Yet there are al- ways girls in this pre-teen and teen age group, and there definitely was some organization. From approximately 1899 to 1902 there was an active group. This may have been an extension of the King's Daughters, but we have been told that the King's Daughters had ceased to exist, and that this group was called a Junior Auxiliary. About 1904 another group of girls was formed into a society known as The Junior Auxiliary. Originally this was formed as a social society, but later became a working organiza- tion. As a working organization it did some work for mis- sions, took care of a booth at the annual sales, and helped in other ways. The society existed for twelve to fifteen years in its various forms. In the 1915 Manual, Mr. Lewis speaks of the Junior Auxiliary as "an organization of the younger children of the Parish which meets during Lent to work for some object outside of the Parish." A few years later this had ceased to be an active organization.
It would be well to note here the steady growth of the parish. Mr. Parsons, in his Year Book records 218 com- municants, of which 186 were resident and 32 non-resident. He also speaks strongly of the Sunday School and its im- portance in the parish. Unfortunately he does not list the total membership, but he does list five officers and eleven teachers. The Sunday School sessions were held imme- diately after the morning service. As there was no parish house, all classes were held in the church. There were three or four adult classes, as well as the regular grades, and at times it was a problem to assign space for each class. Nevertheless all classes met regularly and satis- factory results were attained.
There were also two social events ostensibly for the Sunday School, but actually participated in by the parish. Of course these are still taking place in 1959, but the form
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is different, and with all the other activities that are now available, the interest and excitement are much less than in the early 1900s. A little detail would therefore not seem to be out of place.
The Christmas entertainment became a tradition. It was held on or near Holy Innocents Day in several differ- ent places through the years and the entertainment itself consisted of various programs. From the time that the Memorial Hall was built until the parish house was con- structed, the entertainment was held in the hall. By the latter 1890s a regular program had been established. This started with a processional, led by members of the choir with the children following. The procession started on the first floor, marched up the stairs and to seats in the front of the hall, usually singing "Onward Christian Sol- diers." This led to a short service which included the singing of several Christmas Carols. Then the entertain- ment, which frequently consisted of a fairy tale play, in which the principal characters were played by teen age members of the Sunday School, and lesser characters were played by the younger children. (After the parish house was built, the change in the building necessitated some changes in the general program. The processional was eliminated, and because of lack of staging facilities, the type of play was necessarily changed. ) After the play there was always the Christmas Tree with a visit from Santa Claus and each child received a small gift, a box of hard Christmas Candy, and an orange. The evening ended with refreshments consisting of cake and ice cream.
The other exciting event was the church picnic, which grew into special prominence after the completion of the through trolley line from New Haven to Wallingford in 1905. The picnic was held during the summer, usually in conjunction with the Congregational Church, and a few times the Baptist Church in Montowese participated. The picnic was held at one of the shore resorts, most often at Lighthouse Point. It required two or three special trolleys to transport the picnicers.
These high lights in each year were held in the same form until the first world war. With the present varied
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activities for both old and young; and with the speed and convenience of modern travel; it is almost impossible now to portray properly the importance of the place these two events held, both in the life of the parish and in the life of the community. They were so eagerly anticipated by young and old alike.
We have mentioned the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, formed in 1896. It was an active part of the church life for several years, and in 1906 was still considered res- sponsible for the ushers. However in 1905 and 1906, sev- eral of the most active members left the town, and by the end of 1906 the organization had become inactive.
From the treasurer's records it appears that Mr. Sanford left the parish on December 17th, 1906. As the year came to an end we find the parish once again without a rector. On February 18th, 1907 a special parish meet- ing voted to extend a call to The Rev. Edward T. Mattewson. However at the adjourned annual meeting held on April 15th, Mr. Potter reported that the call had not been accept- ed. Finally, on June 3d, 1907, the parish voted to extend a call to the Rev. Arthur F. Lewis of Unionville, Conn. , to become rector at a salary of $1000. and the use of the rectory. Mr. Lewis accepted the call and in the early part of October 1907 arrived in North Haven to assume his du- ties as Rector of St. John's. Mr. Lewis remained in North Haven until January 1st, 1924, a term of a little over six- teen years. It is interesting that of the 44 year period from 1880 to 1924, 35 years were covered by the rector- ship of two men, The Rev. Mr. Lusk and The Rev. Mr. Lew- is, both of whom came to St. John's from Unionville.
During this period between rectors, repairs and im- provements were made in the rectory, the noted items being the Ladies Guild vote to "paint and fix the floors at the rectory, " and the parish vote to install a bathroom. Shortly after the arrival of Mr. Lewis, this last vote was followed by another to install a pressure water system, the cost was about $230. This was to become obsolete in about three years for in October 1910 the vestry voted to install city water in both rectory and parish house as soon as the mains were laid.
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The method of bringing steam heat from the rectory basement to the church had never provided a really satis- factory arrangement. With the passage of time, and the normal depreciation of the equipment, it became increas- ingly difficult to heat the church. This led to an investiga- tion as to methods of improving the situation, and in June 1909 it was voted to "excavate on the south side of the church for the purpose of putting in a steam heater, said excavation to be 20 ft. x 30 ft. and 8 ft. deep." With the slow but steady growth of the parish (and the town) the need for a parish house was becoming increasingly ap- parent, and before the actual work on the excavation was commenced, it was decided to delay it for a time until the possibilities of erecting a parish house had been given greater consideration.
The year 1909 was the 150th anniversary of the found- ing of St. John's. This seems to have been overlooked, for it was not until July 6th that we find record of a special parish meeting called "to take action about the 150th an- niversary. " Special services were planned, but no men- tion is made of the date selected. Records of The Ladies Guild establish the time as late October, 1909.
In the year 1909 the Rector's salary was increased from $1000. to $1200. , and in 1920 it was increased to $1500.
The question of a parish house continued to be up- permost in the minds of the members of the parish. Many believed it necessary, but the lack of sufficient funds ap- peared to make the construction of such a building impos- sible. Finally, at a meeting held on December 10th, 1909, the vestry brought the whole matter out into the open. The minutes of this meeting state that $2000. of the $5000. fund left the parish by Isaac L. Stiles had been borrowed to meet current expenses. The vestry voted that, if this $2000. could be repaid, restoring the fund to its original princi- pal, "Then it is hereby agreed and voted to appropriate the same or any part of said fund to build a Memorial Par- ish House, such as is approved by a building committee to be hereafter appointed. It is also the vote of this vestry meeting that said building shall not exceed the amount of
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said fund. " The committee appointed consisted of Frank L. Stiles, Hubert F. Potter and Herbert P. Smith. This committee secured an architect to draw up plans. The vestry appointed "a special committee to solicit subscrip- tions to make the I. L. Stiles fund intact, and also to raise whatever money is needed to furnish the parish house. "
In 1908 Mrs. Harriett (Rufus) Pierpont purchased and later gave to the parish the land for the parish house, and Romanta Linsley pledged the sum of $500. Mr. Linsley was not to see the completion of the building, for his death occurred before that time. The court granted the parish request to collect from his estate the amount pledged and records show the net amount received to have been $465.58.
The total funds available were not sufficient to com- plete a building such as was desired, and originally planned. Changes had to be made, and the resulting building was of a capacity that all realized was barely adequate for the needs of the parish at that time. The corner stone was laid in 1910 with proper ceremony, and the building com- pleted and dedicated in 1911.
The parish house solved the problem of a change in heating arrangements for the church. A furnace was in- stalled in the basement to provide steam heat for both church and parish house, and a hot air furnace for use in the parish house only. The steam heat was used primari- ly on Sundays and holy days when heat was needed in the church, or in both church and parish house, and the hot air during the week whenever the parish house only was to be used.
Like every new building there were extra expenses not in the estimates and beyond the actual construction costs. One of these was grading and another was organ expense. The reason for the latter item was that when the organ was installed in 1903, the console was placed in the nave between the organ chamber and the row of seats on the south side. This location proved to be directly in front of the place designated for the doorway connecting church and parish house. It was therefore necessary to move the console and it was transferred to the same spot it occupies in 1959. The original placing of the console
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